Mets icon provides guidance to Pete Alonso throughout free-agency process

It certainly seems that All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso hasn’t yet rejoined the New York Mets or signed with a different team in free agency because he hasn’t landed the type of contract he’s looking to secure.

While speaking with media members on Wednesday, former Mets captain and franchise icon David Wright offered some friendly advice for Alonso.

“It’s a different feeling when you’re drafted, developed and playing for the team that gave you your first opportunity,” Wright explained, as shared by Manny Gomez of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. “There’s a little more — maybe a lot more — pride when you put that jersey on every night. I hope he remembers that and doesn’t lose sight of that.”

Wright was drafted by the Mets in 2001, and he played only for the club from 2004 up until he retired in the fall of 2018. He undeniably is one of the most beloved figures in franchise history and will have his number retired by the Mets this coming summer.

Meanwhile, the Mets selected Alonso during the 2016 draft and have thus far been his only MLB home since he made his big-league debut in 2019.

In a piece updated on Wednesday, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today echoed others and reported that Alonso “may have no choice but to return to the Mets on a short-term deal with an opt-out” considering 11 teams have already addressed the position this offseason. Some analysts have suggested the “Polar Bear” will ultimately have to accept a three- or four-year deal with a high average annual value and multiple opt-outs after he posted a career-worst .788 OPS across 162 regular-season games in 2024.

Wright noted how he “learned a lot from” Atlanta Braves icon Chipper Jones and former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter about how being a one-club man can enhance a player’s legacy.

“I think that that should certainly be a consideration — hopefully is a consideration to Pete — when he’s looking for his next team or coming back to New York,” Wright added during his comments, per Danny Abriano of SNY.

Alonso likely would become the Mets’ all-time leader in career home runs as soon as this summer if he returns to the organization. With that said, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns may soon feel he has to go in a different direction if it becomes clear Alonso is willing to hold out for a contract he simply won’t receive from the Amazins.